Lineups; Rays Replace Floyd With Hinske

Before Game 4, the Rays deactivated veteran DH Cliff Floyd because of a shoulder injury, and have replaced him with veteran Eric Hinske. Floyd apparently hurt himself while running the bases in Game 2 and had trouble sleeping that night. He was available in a limited role during Game 3, but the injury worsened overnight, forcing the move.

On its surface, the move actually helps the Rays the next two nights, as Hinske, who can play either corner infield and corner outfield position, gives them more late-inning options in Games 4 and 5 than would Floyd, who is almost strictly a DH at this point in his career. Hinske could see action as a pinch-hitter or in double-switches. Despite hitting 20 homers during the regular season, he was not put on the Rays' roster for either the ALCS or World Series, until now.